That report - if true - shows we need to adapt to what are their changing tactics. We have a view on who they are and that rather blows it all out of the water.

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Maybe your view is blown out of the water. Mine isn't.

Or maybe it's just time to take your head out of the sand and recognise that some of those "stereotypical" beliefs that you and others hold may not be as accurate as you would have the rest of us believe.

Have we ever actually understimated them, I don't know, would be interesting to hear others views but I think one thing they do exploit is the fact that we have confusing, uncertain and sometimes contradicting goals. They know they have all the time in the world and we don't so can afford to play the long game

Look at history. This is the THIRD attempt at "Trying to be in charge".

The ammount of money that is pouring in to afgoonistan from the british taxpayer you could give the averedge farmer in Helmland $2000 per year, without him ever leaving his compound.

$2000 buys the same as Â£40000 in the UK.

If we carry on (including the septics) pouring money in to the afgoonistan pit the local male should have at least $100,000 dollars (Â£2.000.000) in his pocket.
Local mayor =
Regional etc =
Karzai and palls =

That report - if true - shows we need to adapt to what are their changing tactics. We have a view on who they are and that rather blows it all out of the water.

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Changing tactics? Are you sure? Their tactics remain unchanged from 80's, from days of the Soviet invasion. And I can say you more, their tactics was essentially the same in 19th century and even in times of Alexander the Great.

How should we (I mean you) adopt to the situation? According to the principles of democracy the Afghans (including the Taleban) should be allowed to decide how to live in their country.

Have we ever actually understimated them, I don't know, would be interesting to hear others views but I think one thing they do exploit is the fact that we have confusing, uncertain and sometimes contradicting goals. They know they have all the time in the world and we don't so can afford to play the long game

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Iran-Contra interview tape 1987:

Q. "Did you not recently spend close to 60,000 USD for a home security system?"

A. "Yes, I did, sir."

Q. "Isn't that a little excessive?"

A. "No, sir."

Q. "No? And why not?"

A. "Because the lives of myself and my family were threatened, sir."

Q. "Threatened? By whom?"

A. "By terrorists, sir"

Q. By terrorists? What terrorist could possibly threaten you that much?"

A. "His name is bin Laden, sir"

Q. "And why are you so afraid of this man?"

A. "Because, sir, he is the most evil person alive that I know of."

Q. "And what do you recommend we do about him?"

A. "Well, sir, if it were up to me, I would recommend that an assassin team be formed to eliminate him and his group from the face of the Earth."